Transfer printing and  issuing machine



Nov. 22, 1932. J. M SEAWELL TRANSFER PRINTING AND ISSUING MACHINE Filed Oct. :2, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet gmento'c Joseph 5eawe/L Nov. 22, 1932. .J. M. SEAWELL TRANSFER PRINTING AND ISSUING MACHINE Filed- 0st. 12, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 ram- I! IF.

Nov." 22, 1932. J, SEAWELL 1,888,412

TRANSFER PRINTING AND ISSUING MACHINE Filed Oct. 12, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet, 5

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Nov. 22, 1932 J. M. SEAWELL TRANSFER PRINTING AND ISSUING MACHINE Filed on. 12. 1929' e Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 22, 1932. J. M; SEAWELL 1,888,412

TRANSFER PRINTING AND ISSUING MACHINE Filed 001;. 12. 1929 e Sheets-Sheet 5 I %E E5 5 $5 I V V d NOV. 22, 1932. E L 1,888,412

TRANSFER PRINTING AND ISSUING MACHINE Filed Oct. 12, 1929 6'5heets-Sheer. 6

1% J51 J6 f$i gnmun 4/ A L 1m 129- J56 gwuemio'a Patented Nov. 22, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlfiE JOSEPH MARION SEAWELL, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, A$SIGNOR TO COLEMAN WORTHAM AND villi-LIAM T. REED, BOTH 3F RICI-IMIOND, VIRGINIA TRANSFER PRINTING AND ISSUING MACHINE Application filed October 12, 1929.

This invention aims to simplify the operation and improve the construction of transfer or fare'ticket printing and issuing machines to the end that they may be used by motor bus drivers and motormen of one-man streetcars, who must perform the functions of conductor in collecting fares and issuing transfers, although not restricted to this use.

Further aims and objects of the invention are to provide for readily changing the printing dies carrying the route and operators number and for resetting the time and direction characters on the printing dies, to prevent tampering with the time and route dies 13 While en route, to prevent operation of the device eXcept when the printing dies are properly set and locked, to prevent slamming and insure complete functioning of the printing and registering mechanism, to arrange the 0 inking ribbon mechanism to reverse the ribbon feed automatically at the end of its travel in either direction and to enable the ribbon to be changed with facility, to feed the transfers or tickets in strip form from a'roll to the printing and recording mechanism, to

readily replenish the supply of blank transfers or tickets, and to hold the printed transfer or ticket securely until grasped by the passenger.

Among the advantages of the invention are itssimple, compact arrangement with few moving parts, a sturdy construction promoting length of service under ordinary conditions of use, and freedom from minor derangements and breakdowns in service, ease of adjustment, repair or replacement of the operatin parts, and general adaptability for and reliability in different kinds of transportation service in which a semi-automatic device is advantageous for saving the time of the driver, conductor or motorman in preparing and issuing transfers, tickets or fare receipts.

By way of example, the invention is illustrated and described as embodied in a transfer issuing machine for operation by one hand, as shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

Serial No. 899,320.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front side view of the device as mounted ready for use;

Fig. 2 is a front view drawn to the same scale as Fig. 1, showing the parts within the casing exposed by the removal of the front cover, the transfer receptacle being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of the same, looking from the right hand side as seen in Fig. 1, the end cover of the casing being removed;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the printing elements on the line l-4 in Figs. 5 and 6; drawn to the same scale as Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a. side elevation of the operating mechanism in the lower portion of the casing, the front wall of the casing being removed;

Fig. 6 is a similar View of the printing dies in the upper part of the casing, the inking ribbon being removed; I

Fig. 7 is an end View of the upper part of the device, looking from the left side as shown in Fig. 1, with the top cover removed;

Fig. 8 is avertical axial section through the printing dies and die setting and locking devices;

Fig. 9 is a vertical transverse section through the top part of the device, taken on the line 9-9 in Figs. 6 and 8, showing the locking means for the printing elements;

Fig. 10is a horizontal cross-section through the locking means for the operating handle, on the line 10-1O in Fig. 9;

Figs. 5 to 10, inclusive, being drawn to the same scale as Figs. 3 and l;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical cross-section of the dash pot for preventing slamming of the operating handle;

Figs. 12 and 13 are enlarged views of the ribbon reversing mechanism looking from the right hand end as seen in Fig. 5 and showing it in its two feeding positions, respectively;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal cross-section of the same on the line 14-14 in Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a view of a printed transfer ticket.

Figs. 1 and 2 represent the device in its normal operating position, ready to print and issue a transfer or ticket, and Figs. 3 to 9, inclusive, represent the device with the printing platen raised at the end of the impression stroke of the operating lever.

In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the working parts are housed in a suitable casing 16, provided with a removable front cover 17 for giving access to the paper strip or ticket roll holder 18 (see Figs. 1 and 2), and a hinged top 19 preferably fitted with a lock 20 for protecting the discs that control the setting of the time and date printing wheels and change lle printing dies (see Figs. 6 and 8). Knur" ed nuts 21, which may be readily removed when it is desired to change the paper roll, normally secure the front cover in place.

A receptacle 22 provided with spring retaining hooks 23 for used transfer or ticket stubs may advantageously be secured upon the end of the casing 16, as by rivets 24 having heads adapted to engage in keyhole slots in the adjacent side wall of the rec A spring supported follower holds fers 26 against the retaining hooks The printing mechanism is of the well known direct impression ribbon tyne having a reciprocating platen and adjustable discs for the printing characters, operated by means of a hand lever 27 on the side of the casing conveniently accessible to the bus driver, motorman or other operator. A second hand lever 28 projectin from the end of the top portion of the casing controls the position of the printing dies carry' 5 fillCll indicia as it is desirable to have under the control of the operator. These are the only outside controls required, because the inking and feeding are automatic, and the operator does not have tohandle the printed transfer, which is delivered direct to the passenger.

The printing platen 31 see Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6) is mounted on a stem 32 to $...l(.Q up and down in a guide block 33 fixed in the main frame unit 34, which may be secured in proper position Within the casing by screws or in any other suitable way. The stem 32 is slotted transversely intermediate its ends to receive the end of the operating lever arm 35 which is securely pinned on the operating lever shaft 36 within the casing. An adjustable compounding lever 37 is also arranged in the slotted stem being pivoted at its end remote from the lever arm on an adjustable fulcrum 38 mounted on the front side of the frame unit An adjusting screw 39 is arranged to work up or down through a boss on the frame unit to lift or lower the fulcrum 38 to suit the height of platen required for the desired impression. This arrangement of lovers and adjustable fulcrum permits of compounding the pressure of the operating lever to increase its effect as applied to the platen, particularly near the end of the impression stroke, as illustrated in Fig. 6, where its extreme operating position is shown in full lines and its normal and mid positions are shown in dotted lines, and enables the platen to be set so as to prevent from striking the bare type and displacing or damaging it as hereinafter described.

Flexible strips 41 are attached to the platen to guide the paper strip 42 from the feed roll 43, around which it is passed on its course from the roll 44 or other source of supply. These strips tend to depress the platen to return it to normal position and permit the paper to feed across it, following each printing stroke. A guide roll 45 is disposed between the feed. roll 43 and the paper supply roll 44. Guides 46 and 47 are provided for retaining the paper strip on the feed and guide rolls, respectively. A spring pressed follower and brake 48 prevents the roll 44 from unwinding too fast, the spring 49 being suiiiciently flex ble to accommodate the variation in size of the roll 44 as the paper is used 11 p (see Fig. 2). A small wheel 50 is provided for turning the feed roll by hand. to insert the strip when changing rolls.

The paper strip is fed automatically by means of mechanism operated from the main sha t 36 and comprising ratchet teeth 51 on the feed roll 43- spaced to conform to the angular distance spanned by one transfer or ct on the periphery of the feed roll.

These teeth are successively engaged by a pawl 52 on one arm of a bell crank 53, pivotcd on the same axis as the feed roll, the other arm of which bell crank lever is connected to a lever arm 54 on the main operating sha t 36 by a link 55, as shown in Fig. 5, so to oscillate with every stroke of the operating lever and cause the feed roll to rotate one transfer or ticket space when the operating lever is returned to normal position by its spring 56. A pivoted gravity or spring pressed pawl 57 is arranged adjacent the feed rolls to engage a flange 58 thereon for preventing backward rotation of the feed roll during the idle stroke of the feed pawl Guide and spacing blocks 59 are spaced around the periphery of the feed roll 43 and may advantageously be provided with ribs on their inner faces for engaging in the notches in the edges of the paper strip as custon'iarily made for use in ticket issuing machines.

Slamming the operating lever on its return stroke and over travel of the feed roll is prevented by the dash pot 61 partly filled with oil or other suitable fluid, and containing a p ston 62 (see Fig. 11) connected through the piston rod 03 and bell crank 64 and link with lever arm 66 on the operating shaft to which the return spring 56 is attached.

This lever arm also serves as a stop for limiting the impression stroke of the operating lever by engaging against the side of the main frame unit 34 (see Fig. 6) thereby preventing the platen from injuring the bare type in case the machine be operated without a paper strip on the platen. The piston 62 is preferably provided with a series of holes extending through it, and a light disc 67 is loosely secured below and close to it by means of screws 68 to permit passage of a measured amount of oil, or whatever fluid may be contained in the dash pot, from below to above the piston on the return stroke, the holes permitting free passage of oil on the printing stroke. The space between the piston and disc may be adjusted by the set screw 69. An oil cup 7 is provided at the upper end of the dash pot to catch any oil that may leak out.

The platen 31 may be lined with hard rubber Y1 to make a good impression surface, and the sides of the platen lining are overlaid with thin steel guide plates 72 secured to the platen. The inner edges of these guide plates overlap the paper strip 42, and the outer edges are turned down and form guides for the inking ribbon 73 when the platen is raised (see Fig.4). The paper strip 42 is normally clamped to the platen at the delivery end by means of a vertically movable slotted plate or jaw 74 beneath the top part of which the strip passes out of the printing space and through an orifice 7 in the end wall of the casing 16, as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. This jaw is raised by the spring 76 torelease the paper strip during thefeeding movement, and is clamped -down at the end of the return movement of the operating lever 27 by means of a bell crank lever 77 operated through a rod 78 by the adjustable contact member 79 on the arm 54 of the operatin shaft 36. The projecting portion of the strip 42 thus clamped may readily be detached in the form of a ticket by the passenger or other person to whom issued, as it is very easily torn on without deranging the 1 remaining portion of the strip overlying the printing platen. The strip clamping jaw Y 4 is reta ned in its guides 81 in the frame'unit 34 and 82 in the end of the platen 81 by a spring detent 83 and may be removed to per mit'changing the inking ribbon by pressing the detent to the side and lifting the, jaw

plate until it clears the guides and can be pulled forward away from the platen. During this operation the bell crank 77' may be swung up until its rear arm catches under the end of the rod 7 8 and holds it back against the pull of the operating lever spring 56. to prevent interference.

A counter 84 of suitable construction is provided for registering the number of impressions made by the device, each stroke of the operating shaft 36 being recorded by means of the connection 85 from the arm 54 on the shaft to the counter operating arm 86.

This connection 85 may be adjusted'by loosening the clamp screw 87 (see Fig. 5) and setting the arm 86 so as to insure operation of the counter once for every ticket fed to the printing platen. An orifice 88 is provided in the front cover 17 of the casing for reading the counter. Another orifice89 is provided in the front cover for observing the paper roll to know when to renew it. Both of these orifices are preferably closed with glass.

The printing characters are mounted on discs 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, and 97 (see Fig. 8) which are adjust-ably mounted to turn around the die holding shaft 98 in the top part of the casing. The discs 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95 are splined upon concentric sleeves 99 which in turn have adjusting wheels 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105, respectively, on their other ends. The peripheries of the adjusting wheels are suitably marked to correspond with the characters on the printing discs or dies, and so arranged that they may be seen through a suitably placed opening 106 in the top of the casing 16.

The disc 96, which may carry printing characters indicating different direct-ions or destinations, as North, South, East, West, emergency, etc., is pinned to the shaft 98, and may be set by thedriver or motorman with rapidity and ease by means of the hand lever 28. For convenience the end of the casing is marked with appropriate indicia corresponding to the characters on the disc 96 (see Fig. 7), and the hand lever 28 is provided with a pointer for-indicating the setting to the operator. The setting may also be indicated to the passengerby means of a drum 108 having corresponding characters mounted in the top of the casing where it may easily be seen through an orifice 109. This drumis connected to rotate with the disc 96 by means of suitable toothed gear wheels 110, 111.

A spring pressed detent 112 engages in suitably spaced notches in the disc 96 for holding it in set position, the shape of the.

detent and notches being such as to permit rotation when sufficient force is applied to the hand lever 28 to disengage the detent from the notch in which it may have been engaged. A gravity positioned stop'113 is pivoted to the end of the top portion of the casing, against which the part of the hand lever 28 having the pointer normally engages, to prevent over-travel of the disc 96, beyond the range of the frequently used characters, as North, South, East and West; but by lifting this stop and swinging it out of the way, the hand lever may be shifted suiiiciently to bring the Emergency or other seldom used characters on the disc 96 into printing position. Therebythe number of printing positions normally in use is restricted so that an operator may quickly learn to distinguish them from feeling the angular position of the handle 28 without looking at the pointer,

thereby enabling him to set and operate the printing mechanism to issue a transfer, for example, with one hand and without taking his eyes ofl of the road or trackway ahead of the vehicle.

The disc 97 may advantageously be provided with the name of the company or line, which remains the same from day to day; and the discs 91, 92, 93, 94 and 95 may carry the day of the month, hour, minute or quarter hour, post or ante meridian designations, and direction of travel. The discs carrying the minute or quarter hour, the hour, and the A. M. or P. M. characters may advantageously be connected by pin and gear carrying trains to automatically shift one from another, as is well understood in the art. In the illustrative example, the gear 115 is loose on its shaft and engages a single pin or tooth on the fractional hour disc 93 and a series of twelvepins or teeth on the hour disc 92, whereb each complete rotation of the fractional our disc moves the hour disc onetwelfth of a turn, i. e., a space correspond aligned printing position, the cover 19 cannot ing to that between two successive hour characters. Similarly, the gears 116 are fixed upon their shaft to turn together, and one en ages a single pin or tooth on the disc 92 anii the other engages a series of pins on the disc 94 corresponding to the number of characters, so as to turn the latter disc one space for each complete rotation (twelve hours) of the former, the A. M. and P. M. characters being arranged on the disc 94 in alternation. Detents 117 are provided for retaining the printing wheels in set position. These detents are mounted in individually adjustable pivot blocks 118, and normally held by springs 119 in engagement in notches in the disc 90 and setting wheels 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105.

Also the top cover or lid 19 may be provided with ribs 121 or lugs 122 for fittin in grooves or recesses in the setting wheels W en the latter are in proper adjusted position, and unless all printing discs are properly set in r be closed tightly enough to lock. When locked in place the cover protects these printing members from accidental movement or change by unauthorized persons including the driver, and when raised the detent or bolt 123 automatically locks the operating handle 27 against movement by engaging the web 124 between its forked outer end, as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. Upon closing the top lid 19 the lug 125 on its under side engages the bevelled upper end of the lever 126 to swing it in the direction to withdraw the bolt 123, which it straddles at its lower end, out of engagement with the web 124 against the tension of the spring 127. The bolt may be guided at its inner end by the spring holding member 128. Unless the printing discs are properly set in alignment the cover cannot be closed. far enough to release the operating handle 27, thereby preventing operation of the machine.

The disc 90 is fitted with removable printing dies or slugs 131, 132, bearing the number of the operator and terminus or line, these dies being retained in place by spring pressed detents 133 which may be drawn back by the fingers to permit removal of the dies 131, 132 when desired. Before removing these dies, it is necessary to rotate the disc 90 through 180, and unless the disc is returned to its normal printing position the cover 19 cannot be closed because its lug 122 hits on the circular portion of the periphery of the disc 90 instead of entering the flattened or notched place provided for it. Little pins 134 are. provided on the exposed side of each of the dies 131, 132, for preventing them from being inserted the wrong way in the recess provided in the disc 90, and prevent the dies from being inserted upside down. The detents 133 have pins 135 working in slots in the edges of the recess for engaging shallow nicks in the edges of the dies to hold them in place.

Any suitable type of inking ribbon and ribbon feed mechanism may be utilized that is adapted to be operated from the intermittent movementof the actuating lever 27. The

inking mechanism shown for illustrative pur- J poses (see Figs. 3, 4, 12, 13 and 14) comprises ribbon spools 141 upon which the ends of the ribbon 7 3 are wound, the middle bight of the IlbbOIl extending over the side guides 72 and across the platen 31, notches in the side guides preventing the ribbon from running ofl too far to either side. The ribbon spools are mounted on spindles 142 secured on the ribbon mechanism carrier plate 143, and are provided with friction means 144 for preventing them from turning except when rotated by the feed pawls. Each ribbon spool is rotated independently of the other in alternation to wind up the ribbon, the ratchet mechanism comprising separate pawls 145, 146, one or the other of which is adapted to engage with the serrated edge of the corresponding spool depending upon the position of the oscillatable pivot disc 147 mounted on the slidable carrier 148. The pivot disc is held in one or the other of its two positions by a double notched detent 149 and spring 150, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the parts being shown in Fig. 12 in position to rotate the lower ribbon spool and in Fig. 13 in position to rotate the upper spool. Springs 151, 152, tend to press the pawls 145, 146, against their ratchets, and pins 153 on the carrier 148 hold them away from the ratchets when out of feeding position. Light springs 154 hold the pawls away from the ratchets when they are being reversed. Beversal is effected by the pull of the ribbon upon the spool when it is fully unwound.

The carrier 148 is guided by a slide 155 Working in a slot 156 in the supporting frame 143, and is reciprocated up and down by means of a link 157 connected to a stud 158 on the slide. The link is connected at its upper end to one arm of a double arm lever 159, mounted to oscillate in a vertical plane in the platen carrier, and having its other arm in engagement with the under side of the platen operating lever so that when the platen is lowered the carrier 148 will be lifted (see Fig. 6). A. spring 160 returns the carrier plate to its lower position when the platen is raised. Access to the ribbon and ribbon feed mechanism may be had by opening the end door 161 which is normally held closed by a suitable lock.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the various cooperating parts of the machine are constructed in units that are easily removed and replaced in the casing, thus facilitating assembling of the machine and making it possible to remove one unit for repair or replacement without dismantling other units. Furthermore, all of the operating'parts subject to strain, wear or abuse are of rugged construction and are completely protected against tampering and accidental damage from extraneous causes.

No claim is made herein to the transfer receptacle, that being reserved for a separate patent.

The invention is not restricted to the details of construction of the illustrative embodiment as shown, but what is claimed is as follows:

1. A machine of the character described having easily changeable printing characters, a platen movable into printing position, means for intermittently feeding a partly severed strip of printing stock between the platen and printingcharacters, said feeding means including a wheel provided with protuberances spaced to engage in the partly severed portions of said strip, an inking ribbon between said strip and the printing characters, means for feeding said ribbon and common means for operating the platen, ribbon and strip.

2. A machine of the character described having easily changeable printing characters, a platen movable into printing position, means for intermittently feeding a strip of printing stock between the platen and printin g characters, means for clamping the strip after passing over the platen, an inking ribbon between said strip and the printing characters, means for feeding said ribbon and common means for operating the platen, clamping means, ribbon and strip.

3. A machine of the character described having easily changeable printing characters, a platen movable into printing position, means for intermittently feeding a partly severed strip of printing stock between the platen and printing characters,

means for clamping the strip adjacent a partly severed place after passing over the platen,

' an inking ribbon between said strip and the printing characters, means for feeding said ribbon and means for operating the platen, clamping means, ribbon and strip.

' 4i. rrin'aehine of th character described having changeable printing characters,

means for setting certain of said characters, a a

closed position and said-characters are-set in proper printing position. 7

6. In a machine of the character describec, a changeable printing die unit comprising a plurality of axially alined discs having printing characters thereon, said discs being secured upon concentric shafts, setting means on some of said concentricshafts, a. casing enclosing said setting means, discs and shafts, the end of the inner one of said shafts projecting fromsaidcasing, and a setting means 7 on said projecting shaft end readily accessiblefor hand actuation.

7. In a machine of the character described, a changeable printing die unit comprising a. plurality of axially alined discs having printing characters thereon, said discs being secured upon concentric shafts, setting means on some of said concentric shafts, a. casing enclosing said setting means, discs and shafts,

unless said closure is in its the end of the inner one of said shafts projecting from said casing, spring means for releasably holding said last'named shaft and disc in set position, and a setting means on said projecting shaft end readily accessible for hand actuation. a

8. In a machine of the character described, a changeable printing die unit comprising a plurality of axially alined discs having printing charact'ersthereon, said discsbeing securedupon concentric shafts, setting means on some of said concentric shafts, a casing enclosing said setting means, discs and shafts, the end of the inner one ofsaid shafts projecting from said casing, a pointer on said shaftand indiciaon said casing for indicating the position of the changeable printing die on said last named shaft, and a setting means on said projecting shaft end readily accessible for hand actuation;

9. In a machine of the character described, a changeable printing die unit comprising a plurality of axially alined discs having printmg characters thereon, said discs being secured upon concentric shafts, setting means on some of said concentric shafts, a casing enclosisg said setting means, discs and shafts, the end of the inner one of said shaft-s projecting from said casing, a pointer on said shaft and indicia on said casing for indicating the position of the changeable printing die on said last named shaft, and a setting means on said projecting shaft end readily accessible for hand actuation, some of the characters on said changeable printing die being infrequently used, and means on said casing cooperating with said shaft setting means for normally preventing setting said infrequently used characters in printing position.

10. In a machine of the character described, a changeable printing die unit com prising a plurality of axially alined discs having printing characters thereon, said discs being secured upon c0ncentric shafts, setting means on some ofsaid concentric shafts, a casing enclosing said setting means, discs and shafts, the end of the inner one of said shafts proiecting from said casing, an opening in said casing and indicia movable with said last named shaft and disc and exposed at said opening for indicating the position of the changeable printing die on said last named shaft, and a setting means on said projecting shaft end readily accessible for hand actuation. V

11. In a machine of the character de scribed, a changeable printing die unit comprising a plurality of axially alined discs having printing characters thereon, some of said discs being secured upon concentric shafts, setting means on said concentric shafts, a casing enclosing said setting means, discs and shafts, an opening in said casing exposing said setting means. a cover for said opening, and means on said cover cooperating with said setting means for preventing closing of said cover when any setting means is out of set position for alining the corresponding printing die in proper printing position.

12. In a machine of the character described, a series of rotatable printing character carriers having a common axis of rotation, said carriers bein severally mounted upon independentlv rotatable concentric shafts. means on said shafts for selectively setting said carriers in printing position. common means for locking some of said carriers in set position, and independent means for setting other of said carriers in selected printing position While said locking means is effective to lock said first named carriers.

13. In a machine of the character described having an operating lever, a series of rotatable printing character carriers havlng a common axis of rotation, said carriers being severally mounted upon independently rotatable concentric shafts, means on said shafts for selectively setting said carriers in printing position, means cooperating with certain of said carriers for rotating companion carriers in predetermined angular relation and distance, and means for retaining said carrier setting means in set position, said retaining means preventing actuation of said operating lever when in non-retaining posi-: tion.

14. In a machine of the character described, a series of rotatable printing'character carriers having a common axis of rotation, said carriers being severally mounted upon independently rotatable concentric shafts, means on said shafts for selectively setting said carriers in printing position, means cooperating with certain of said carriers for rotating companion carriers in predetermined angular relation and distance, spring means for retaining said carrier setting means in set position, and means for locking said carrier setting means, said locking means insuring proper alinement of said printing characters. 7

15. In a machine of the character described, a reciprocable printing platen, guide means therefor, an actuating shaft having a lever arm working between said guide means, a

compounding lever having one end fulcrumed on said guide means and the other end cooperating with said lever arm, means engaging said compounding lever between its ends for transmitting movement thereof to said platen, and means for oscillating said actuating shaft.

16. In a machine of the character described, a reciprocable printing platen, guide means therefor, an actuating shaft having a lever arm working between said guide means, a compounding lever having one end adjustably fulcrumcd on said guide means and the other end cooperating with said lever arm, means engaging said compounding lever between its ends for transmitting movement thereof to said platen, and means for oscillating said'actuating shaft. s

V 17. In a machine of the character described, a reciprocable printing platen having a guide stem, guide means for said stem, said stem and guide means being provided with alining transverse slots, a fulcrum secured to said guide means, a lever having one end pivoted in said fulcrum and extending into said alining slots and engaging said platen stem intermediate its ends, a second lever pivoted to said guide means and engaging said first lever near its end, and means for oscillating said second lever.

18. In a machine of the character described, a reciprocable printing platen having a guide stem, guide means for said stem, said stem and guide means being provided with alining transverse slots, a fulcrum secured to said ill) guide means, a lever having one end pivoted in said fulcrum and extending into said alining slots and engaging said platen stem intermediate its ends, a second lever pivoted to said guide means and engaging said first lever near its end, and means for oscillating said second lever comprising a hand lever for moving it in printing direction against the pull of a spring and a dash pot for checking the return of said lever under the influence of said spring.

19. In a machine of the character described, a platen, means for reciprocating said platen intermittently, means for feeding a strip of printing stock to said platen comprising a wheel and means for rotating it periodically in synchronism with movement of said platen, flexible guide means spanning the space between said wheel and platen, said guide means being connected at one end to the platen to move therewith.

20. In a machine of the character described, a platen, means for reciprocating said platen intermittently, means for feeding a strip of printing stock to said platen comprising a wheel and means for rotating it periodically in synchronism with movement of said platen, flexible guide means spanning the space between said wheel and platen, said guide means being connected at one end to the platen to move therewith and at the other end restrained to align with the periphery of said wheel.

21. In a machine of the character described, a platen, means for reciprocating said platen intermittently, means for feeding a strip of printing stock to said platen comprising a wheel and means for rotating it periodically in synchronism with movement of said platen, flexible guide means spanning the space between said wheel and platen, said guide means being connected at one end to the platen tomove therewith and restrained at the other end to press said platen away from the printing point.

22. In a machine of the character described, a platen and means -for moving it toward and from the printing point, means for feeding a strip of printing stock across said platen, side guides for said platen provided with means at their top edges for guicL ing the printing ribbon, thin retaining members overlying the top edges of said platen for holding said strip in alinement thereon, and a ribbon overlying said platen and strip, said side guides supporting said ribbon adjacent the printing point when said platen is moved away to permit feeding said strip.

23. In a machine of the character described, a platen and means for moving it toward and from the printin point, means for feeding a strip of printing stock across said platen, side guides for said platen providing ribbon supporting and guiding means at their top edges, thin retaining members overlying the top edges of said platen for holding said strip in alinement thereon, said retaining members contacting at their inner edges with said strip to hold it on said platen when said platen is moved away to permit feeding said strip and supporting said ribbon out of 0011-.

tact with said strip when said platen is raised.

24. In a machine of the character described, a platen and means for moving it toward and from the printing point, means for feeding a strip of printing stock across said platen lengthwise thereof, means for feeding a printing ribbon across said platen transversely thereof, side guides for said platen provided with means for guiding said ribbon over their top edges, retaining members overlying the top edges of said platen for holding said strip in alinement thereon, and clamping means for said strip for preventing feeding thereof in normal position of said platen.

25. A machine of the character described comprising changeable printing dies mounted on rotatable carriers axially positioned on a plurality of concentric shafts, a platen movable toward and from said dies at the printing point, a printing stock roll holder, means for feeding a strip of printing stock from said holder to said platen in a direction parallel to the axis of said printing die carrier shafts, an inking ribbon having a bight arranged across said platen between said strip and printing dies, and means for feeding said ribbon in a direction transversely of movement of said strip.

26. A machine of the character described comprising changeable printing dies mounted on rotatable carriers axially positioned on a plurality of concentric shafts, a platen movable toward and from said dies at the print in point, a printing stock roll holder, means for feeding a narrow strip of printing stock from said holder to said platen in a direction parallel to the axis of said printing die carrier shaft. Y

27. A machine of the character described comprising changeable printing dies mounted on rotatable carriers in axial alinement, a platen movable toward and from. said dies at the printing point, a printing stock roll holder, means for feeding a strip of printing stock from said holder to said platen in a direction parallel to the axis of said printing die carriers, an inking ribbon having abight arranged across said platen between said strip and printing dies, and means for feeding said ribbon in a direction transversely of the direct? on of movement of said strip.

28. A machine of the character described comprising changeable printing dies mounted on rotatable carriers in axial alinement, a platen movable toward and from said dies at the printing point, a printing stock roll holder, means for feeding a strip of printing stock from said holder to said platen in a direction parallel to the axis of said printing die carriers, an inking ribbon having a bight arranged across said platen between said strip and printing dies, means for feeding said ribbon in a direction transversely of the direction of movement of said strip, and a support for said ribbon upon. each side of said platen for preventing slackness in said bight during the movement of said platen.

29. A machine of the character described comprising changeable printing dies mounted on rotatable carriers in axial alinement, a platen movable toward and from said dies at the printing point, a printing stock roll holder, means for feeding a strip of printing stock from said holder to said platen in a direction parallel to the axis of said printing die carriers, an inking ribbon having a bight arranged across said platen between said stri and printing dies, means for feeding said ribbon in a direction transversely of movement of said strip, and actuating means for said inking ribbon disposed on the rear of said platen.

30. A machine of the character described comprising changeable printing dies mounted on rotatable carriers in axial alinement, a platen movable toward and from said dies at the printing point, a printing stock roll holder, means for feeding a strip of printing stock from said holder to said platen in a direction parallel to the axis of said printing die carriers, an inking ribbon having a bight arranged across said platen between said strip and printing dies, means for feeding said ribbon in a direction transversely of movement of said strip, and a common actuating device for said platen, strip feeding means and ribbon feeding means.

31. A machine of the character described comprising changeable printing dies mounted on rotatable carriers in axial alinement, a platen movable toward and from said dies at the printing point, a printing stock roll holder, means for feeding a strip of printing stock from said holder to said platen in a direction parallel to the axis of said printing die carriers, an inking ribbon having a bight arranged across said platen betwecn said strip and rinting dies, means for feeding said ribbon in a direction transversely of movement of said strip, and a common actuating device for said platen, strip feeding means and ribbon feeding means, said actuating device be ing provided with manually engaged means for moving it in platen advancing direction, and spring return means for advancing the strip and ribbon.

32. A machine of the character described comprising changeable printing dies, a platen movable toward and from said dies at the printing point, means for feeding a strip of printing stock to said platen, guiding means on said platen for said strip, an inking ribbon having a bight arranged across said platen between said strip and printing dies, stationary guiding means for said platen and said ribbon, means for feeding said ribbon in a direction transversely of movement of said strip, and a common actuating device for said platen, strip feeding means and ribbon feeding means, said actuating device being provided with manually engaged means for moving it in platen advancing direction, and spring return means for advancing the strip and ribbon.

A machine of the character described comprising changeable printing dies, a platen movable toward and from said dies at the printing point, stationary guiding means for said platen, means for feeding a strip of printing stock to said platen, guiding means on said platen for said strip, an inking ribbon having a bight arranged across said platen between said strip and printing dies, stationary guiding means for said platen and said ribbon, means for feeding said ribbon in a direction transversely of movement of said strip, and a common actuating device for said platen, strip feeding means and ribbon feeding means, said actuating device being provided. with manually engaged means for moving it in platen advancing direction, and spring return means for advancing the strip and ribbon in combination with a dash pot for preventing slamming on the return stroke.

34. In a device of the character set forth in claim 33, a dash pot partly filled with substantially incompressible fluid and a piston adapted to permit a measured flow of fluid through it in one direction of movement, for the purpose described.

35. In a machine of the character described, a reciprocatory platen, an operating mechanism therefor comprising a lever adapted to engage said platen, an adjustable fulcrum for said lever, a second lever adapted to engage said first named lever, actuating means for moving said last named lever, and means for limiting the amount of movement of said second lever.

36. In a machine of the character described, a unitary printing assembly con'iprising a frame, a reciprocatory platen mounted in said frame, an operating mechanism therefor comprising a lever adapted to engage said platen, an adjustable fulcrum on said frame for said lover, a second lever pivoted in said frame and adapted to engage said first named lever, and stop means for limiting the amount of movement of said second lever.

37. In a machine of the character described, a platen and means for moving it, means for feeding printing stock across said platen, common a :tuating means for said platen moving means and said stock feeding means, said actuating means comprising a spring for returning it to normal position, means for clamping the stock at the end of its feeding movement, an adjustable connection between said actuating means and clamping means whereby said clamping means is held in arm adapted to be swung into position to clamping position by said spring, and a rigid hold said clamp away from clamping posistop against which said actuating means bears in normal position.

38. In a machine of the character described, a platen and means for moving it, means for feeding printing stock across said platen, common actuating means for said platen moving means and said stock feeding means, said actuating means comprising a spring for returning it to normal position, means for clamping the stock at the end of its feeding movement, an adjustable connection between said actuating means and clamping means whereby said clamping means is held in clamping position by said spring, and a rigid stop against which said actuating means bears in normal position, said platen, actuating means and clamp-ing means being mounted in a frame to constitute a unitary assembly.

39. In a machine of the character described, a movable platen and support therefor, means at one side of said platen for feeding a strip of printing stock across said platen, means for clamping said strip at the opposite side of said platen from said feeding means, an inking ribbon having a bight disposed across said platen transversely of said strip between said feeding and clamping means, and releasable guide and holding means for said clamping means whereby the latter may be removed to provide sidewise movement of said bight to permit changing said ribbon.

40. In a machine of the character described, a movable platen and support therefor, means at one side of said platen for feeding a strip of printing stock across said platen, means for clamping said strip at the opposite side of said platen from said feeding means, an inking ribbon having a bight disposed across said platen transversely of said strip between said feeding and clamping means, and releasable guide and holding means for said clamping means whereby the latter may be removed to provide sidewise movement of said bight to permit changing said ribbon, said clamping guide and holding means comprising interrupted guideways and a spring pressed detent normally limiting movement of said clamp to the effective portions of said guideways.

41. In a machine of the character described, a movable platen and support therefor, means at one side of said platen for feeding a strip of printing stock across said platen, means for clamping said strip at the opposite side of said platen from said feeding means, said clamp guide and holding means comprising interrupted guideways and a spring pressed detent normally limiting movement of said clamp to the effective portions of said guideways, said clamping means comprising an oscillatable lever having an tion to permit free manipulation of said strip.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOSEPH MARION. SEAWELL. 

